sooner; soonest
1
: without undue time lapse : before long
soon after sunrise
2
: in a prompt manner : speedily
as soon as possible
the sooner the better
no sooner said than done
3
: in agreement with one's choice or preference : willingly
I'd just as soon walk as drive
4
archaic
: before the usual time
5
obsolete
: at once : immediately
Usage of Safe
Both "drive safe" and "drive safely" are acceptable. Flat adverbs, as adverbs without -ly are called, are common in English; examples include soon in "see you soon" and fast in "time goes so fast." Adverbial safe functions in the same way these do.
Examples of soon in a Sentence
We will soon be making changes.
The soonest I can get there is tomorrow.
When is the soonest possible date of delivery?
The audience soon realized that it wasn't a stunt.
She found a job soon after graduation.
How soon can you finish the job?
The sooner you finish your homework, the sooner you can go outside and play.
I will let you know as soon as possible.
I'll get there as soon as I can.
Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond gimmicky early adoptions, brands are harnessing AI to make the best products and treatments more personalized—and to even operate actual beauty robots (coming soon to a store near you).
—
Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
Tandy Leather opened a flagship store in January, followed by Henry McCarty Irish Pub and soon-to-open Partenope Ristorante, known for Neapolitan pizza.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2026
Additionally, Fitbit will soon let those on the Public Preview software share their medical records to better understand their overall health.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
If anything, the frustration is that everybody wanted it sooner.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soon
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Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
Tandy Leather opened a flagship store in January, followed by Henry McCarty Irish Pub and soon-to-open Partenope Ristorante, known for Neapolitan pizza.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2026
Additionally, Fitbit will soon let those on the Public Preview software share their medical records to better understand their overall health.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
If anything, the frustration is that everybody wanted it sooner.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for soon
Cite this Entry
“Soon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soon. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soon
adverb
ˈsün 
especially New England ˈsu̇n
1
: before long : without delay
soon after sunrise
2
: in a speedy way
as soon as possible
3
archaic
: before the usual time
4
: by choice
would as soon do it now
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